This blog started off by focussing on NZ's smaller 3rd level airlines, past and present. It has evolved to trying to present some record of NZ's domestic airline operations and some of the larger charter operators, interesting NZ international airliner movements and photos I have taken around the country. Comments, corrections or contributions are welcome, Steve - westland831@gmail.com

05 December 2013

Masterton Still Loooking for an Air Service

Sounds Air has decided to start a new flight service in Wanganui instead of Masterton. It had proposed flights between Masterton and Wellington but feedback had not been positive. "We had a lot of feedback from locals saying you're wasting your time," said Andrew Crawford, managing director of Sounds Air. He said Masterton residents were more interested in reinstating flights to Auckland but the company couldn't offer that. Air NZ announced earlier this year it would cut the Masterton-Auckland service and also its Wanganui-Wellington service. Sounds Air stepped in with a spare plane and visited both towns to see which route was more viable. "It was a balancing act between the towns," said Mr Crawford. "The difference was that it was a tried and tested route with Wanganui and it was a bit further for people to drive to Wellington. "It really had to be Wanganui." He said there was overwhelming enthusiasm for the service from Wanganui Mayor Annette Main, councillors and residents.